Father Gerard Francisco Timoner, a Filipino, was elected Master of the Order on July 13 during the Dominicans' general chapter, which was held at a seminary some 80 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

The Order of Preachers, which was founded by Saint Dominic in 1216, had already held a general chapter in Asia once before. That was in 1977 in the Philippine capital Manila.

However, this was the first time the Domincans have gathered for an elective chapter in a country with a non-Christian tradition, and is communist to boot. Read more

Mulryne, who is reported to have once earned £600,000 a year, has also taken a vow of poverty.

He made his debut in 1997 with Manchester United and won 27 caps for Northern Ireland. Read more